How to Draw a Neural Network Diagram

Edraw Content Team

Do You Want to Draw Your Neural Network Diagram?

EdrawMax specializes in diagramming and visualizing. Learn from this article to know everything about how to draw your neural network diagram with ease. Just try it free now!

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Neural networks are complex pieces of math, and even non-mathematicians find it challenging to wrap their minds around them. Even the term itself is intimidating, which is probably why they rarely get mentioned in articles about deep learning. But when it comes to applying neural networks to everyday problems, a lot of traction could be seen.

A neural network diagram (NND) is a visual way of representing a neural network. As a graphical representation of the neurons, synapses, and weights in a neural network, an NND is created using nodes (representing the neurons) and lines (representing the synapses). To help people understand a complex topic, neural network diagrams intuitively explain what happens when users multiply numbers together and what a neural network does.

how to draw a neural network diagram cover

1. What Includes in a Neural Network Diagram

Neural network diagrams are handy for understanding how neural networks work. They visualize how different inputs are processed and how the output is calculated. When you start working on your network diagram, remember to include these elements:

Input Layer:

The first element of every neural network is the input layer. All the data used to train the neural network will be added to the input layer. The input layer comprises neurons that connect directly with each other and are called input neurons.

Output Layer:

The output layer is where you will find the output. It takes the information and determines the output. The output is the actions you want the model to predict based on the inputs.

Hidden Layers:

The hidden layer contains the weights of the neural network. These are the numbers that are multiplied together to get the output layer.

Activation Function:

Activation functions are essential as they dictate how inputs get converted to outputs. They determine the behavior of the neurons in the network. The sigmoid activation function is often used in artificial neural networks.

Regularization Loss:

In an NND, inputs must all be of equal value. Otherwise, the output will not make any sense. To keep the network from making mistakes, it uses regularization loss. This is usually referred to as 'dropout' or regularization. It's a method to prevent the NN from overfitting the training data. Without the dropout layer, the network would not converge, and its performance would not improve.

What Includes in a neural network diagram:

Input Layer;
Output Layer;
Hidden Layers;
Activation Function;
Regularization Loss.

2. Preparations for Drawing a Neural Network Diagram

The following specific steps provide context and help you see how the neural network diagram is constructed from the beginning:

Download a dataset you need.

Once you have a working neural network diagram (a.k.a. a brain), you need to prepare a dataset. The dataset is the source of training data that gets fed into your neural network to create a "brain."

Download a pre-trained model you're interested in using.

You can download a pre-trained model, train it, and test it all on the web for free. The result is much faster than doing it manually, and it takes the complexity of deep learning to a whole new level.

Decide which layers you want to train or test.

It would be best if you decided which layers to train or test. Depending on what you are doing, you may need only to test the top layer. If you are trying to predict a specific outcome, you will need only to train the output layer.

Decide how many data points per layer you want to use.

You want to think about how many inputs (or data points) you want for each node for each layer. The rule of thumb for drawing a neural network diagram is to use five inputs for every node and keep each node within a circle.

Load your dataset into your favorite software.

After importing your data into your chosen software (e.g., Matlab or Python), you'll need to open the dataset up in some visualization application, like GraphPad Prism or whatever tool your particular software requires. While many visualization tools are used for creating static graphs, neural networks require a dynamic approach.

3. How to Draw a Neural Network Diagram in General

There are two ways of drawing a neural network diagram. One is the traditional way to go out to the site location, analyze the place, and start drawing using our architectural expertise. Another way is where we use EdrawMax and the free templates provided by this popular software. Before we help you understand how easy it is to create a neural network diagram using free templates and symbols, let us walk you through the traditional methods first.

Noun-verb diagrams:

Draw a noun in the middle of a sentence to represent the verb, then draw many lines and arrows that indicate what happens. This shows how different neurons in a neuron network process information.

Hierarchical structures:

Draw nested boxes or boxes with a solid line around them. Each box represents a higher level of abstraction of the same data.

Abstract representations:

Draw symbols instead of boxes. For example, circles, squares, triangles, and other shapes are abstractions of the same data.

Diagrams explaining how neurons interact:

One neuron with an arrow pointing out is called a dendritic spine. It indicates how neurons talk to each other via chemical synapses.

How to Draw a Neural Network Diagram in General:

Overview of the standard method of drawing neural network diagrams:

Noun-verb diagrams;
Hierarchical structures;
Abstract representations;
Diagrams explaining how neurons interact;

4. How to Draw a Neural Network Diagram in EdrawMax

Now that you have seen the complicated steps, let us show you two easy approaches to creating a neural network diagram in EdrawMax.

4.1 Draw Neural Network Diagrams from Scratch

Step1 Open EdrawMax & Login

If you are using the offline version of EdrawMax, then open the tool in your system. If you wish to have remote collaboration, head to EdrawMax Download and log in using your registered email address. If this is your first time using the tool, you can register yourself using your personal or professional email address. Go to 'Basic Diagram' and click on 'Block Diagram.'